Students at the rock wall practice climbing and tying knots
Weekly Climbing Clinics

Improve your climbing technique or learn how to use the ropes at the rock wall!

Reserve a spot!

Rock Wall at the ARC

The Rock Wall is Free!

Any ARC member can enjoy this facility and utilize our free climbing shoes, harnesses, and belay device rentals. 

Rock Wall is closing at 5pm on Halloween Oct 31st

Staff and climbers are welcome to come in their costumes from 12pm-5pm 

(Please follow campus recreation costume guidelines i.e. no masks, shirt and shoes required, must be appropriate, etc)

Rock Wall Social: Coming again in Spring!

Join us for an evening welcoming all new UC Davis students and ARC members to the Rock Wall. We will have a FREE intro to Top Rope Clinic from 5:30-7pm, (show up and check in at the wall, no experience necessary). Then make some new friends and climb together until closing time!

Is the Rock Wall Full?

Check real-time occupancy at the Rock Wall here!

People climbing up the indoor rock wall

Reserve the Rock Wall?

If you are a campus group or a local organization, you can follow this form. 

Please book 3 weeks in advance to allow staff scheduling. 

About the Rock Wall 🙂

With more than 50 routes of varying difficulty, the ARC Rock Wall is a modern facility that offers something for everyone. If you're new to climbing, our friendly and helpful staff will help you get started with everything you need to know. If you're looking to push your abilities to the next level, the wall's realistic rock-like texture and features will help you refine your technique indoors. Bring a belay partner or just drop by and meet new friends. Check out the classes and trips on the Outdoor Adventures web page to learn how you can climb outside. 

Rock Wall Dimensions and Features

  • 40' x 29'
  • Multiple routes ranging in difficulty level
  • Available climbing styles: Top Rope and Bouldering
  • Hand-sculpted free-form texture

First Time at the Rock Wall? 🤔

Entry:

For normal operating hours, entry to the Rock Wall is on a first-come-first-serve basis. As space is limited, please be respectful of other visitors who wish to climb by limiting your climb time and leaving once you are finished with your session.

You can check on the current status of capacity at the Rock Wall by following the link below:

Facility Occupancy

Orientation:

All first-time visitors to the Rock Wall must receive an Orientation from a Rock Wall staff member before they can begin climbing. Please plan on spending the first 10-15 minutes of your first visit receiving the Rock Wall Orientation. Once you have completed an Orientation, there are 2 types of climbing to enjoy here: Bouldering and Top Rope Climbing. 

Bouldering:

Bouldering is characterized by shorter climbing routes that do not require ropes. First time visitors to the Rock Wall can begin bouldering immediately after receiving a Rock Wall Orientation.

Top Ropes:

Top Rope climbing allows climbers to safely climb taller routes than bouldering. This style of climbing requires climbers to have some ropes skills and a partner to climb with. Passing a belay test is required for both climbers and belayers who wish to use the Top Ropes at the Rock Wall. Don't know how to top rope but interested in learning? Sign up for one of our free weekly Top Rope Lessons! Interested in more in-depth instruction and practice time? Register for one of our weekend clinics! 

Belay Tests:

Climbers can request to take a belay test anytime during normal operating hours. Belay tests cannot be taken the same day a climber has received a Top Rope Lesson or participated in a failed Belay Test. To take a belay test, a climber must bring a partner to climb for them during their test. Both members of the group can be taking the test at the same time but are not required to. On duty Rock Wall Staff cannot be the climber for a belay test. 

Additional Resources

ARC Hours
Business Center Hours

Rock Wall Hours 🙃

School Year Hours:

Mon-Thurs: 12 PM-10 PM

Fri: 12 PM - 8 PM

Sat: Closed

Sun: 5-10pm

Summer Hours:

Mon-Fri: 3pm-7pm

Sat/Sun: Closed

 
Holiday Closures and Special Hours:

 

September 1: CLOSED FOR Labor Day

September 22-23: CLOSED FOR Staff Training 

October 31st: Closing at 5pm for Halloween

November 26th: Closing at 5pm for Thanksgiving Holiday

November 27th-30th: CLOSED for Thanksgiving Holiday

November 11: CLOSED FOR Veteran's Day

December 8-January 4, 2026:  CLOSED FOR Winter Break

Monday, January 19, 2026: CLOSED FOR MLK Day

Monday, Feb. 16: CLOSED FOR President's Day

March 21-29: CLOSED FOR Spring Break

Monday, May 25th: CLOSED FOR Memorial Day:

Friday, June 12th: CLOSED FOR Graduation

Friday, June 19th: CLOSED FOR Juneteenth

Friday, July 3: CLOSED FOR 4th of July

 

 

Rules of the Rock Wall

Rock Wall Rules

  1. A Rock Wall Staff member must be present to climb on the Rock Wall. Rock Wall hours are posted on the Outdoor Adventures website.
  2. Patrons must check in with a Rock Wall staff member before climbing every time they visit the Rock Wall.
  3. As space is limited, Rock Wall Staff may ask any patron to leave who is no longer climbing and/or has been in the facility for a long time in order to allow others to enter and enjoy the Rock Wall. 
  4. Private instruction is NOT allowed. All climbing skills and safety instruction must be done by a climbing wall staff member.
  5. Street shoes are not allowed on the Rock Wall or crash pads. Climbing shoe rentals are free and available at ARC equipment rental desk.
  6. No open toed shoes or sandals are permitted to climb on the wall.
  7. No loose chalk is allowed, all chalk must be in a spill resistant container.
  8. No food or drinks allowed on climbing pads.
  9. Only climbing equipment is permitted on climbing pads.
  10. You must use modern commercially manufactured equipment. All equipment is subject to inspection by climbing wall staff for acceptable use.
  11. You may use your personal climbing harnesses and belay devices as long as they meet the following requirements:
    • Personal climbing harnesses must be designed with two tie-in points and a belay loop
    • Personal climbing harnesses must not have excessive wear or any modifications
    • All belay devices must be used with a locking carabiner
    • Personal belay devices and carabiners must not have excessive wear
  12. Belaying via hip belay, munter hitch, or a figure 8 device is not allowed at the Rock Wall.
  13. Climbing shoes and harnesses must be taken off to use the restroom.
  14. No bouldering is allowed above the white bouldering line.
  15. No climbing will be permitted under the influence of drugs or alcohol.
  16. No horseplay is permitted on climbing pads, on or around hanging ropes, and on the climbing walls.
  17. No climbing will be permitted with any open wounds or cuts.
  18. Report any and all incidents/safety concerns to rock wall staff.
  19. When climbing at Rock Wall, all patrons are expected to follow our Rock Wall Climbing Ethics. 

Rock Wall Climbing Ethics

  • Do not climb above or below another climber.
  • Top rope partners must double check each other’s harnesses, carabiners, and knots to ensure they are correct before climbing.
  • Climbing partners should communicate when beginning to climb and when lowering to avoid unnecessary injury.
  • Offer or wait to be asked before giving pointers or “beta” to other climbers.
  • Be aware of other climbers in your area at all times.
  • Alternate turns climbing a route if the Rock Wall is crowded. Be polite and courteous to your fellow climbers.
  • Treat other climbers as you would like to be treated. The Rock Wall is a place where everyone is welcome and respected.

Weekly Climbing Clinics

Registration for Fall 2025 clinics at the Rock Wall open Sept 22 at noon!

Weekly Rock Wall Climbing Clinics!

Sign up for one of the Rock Wall's climbing clinics! The Clinics are each only $5. Registration is required through your ARC Fusion account in classes. Please arrive on time and check into the wall with a staff member. 

Top-Rope Belay Clinic: 

Learn how to fit a harness, tie into a climbing rope belay another climber in preparation to pass a Top Rope Belay Test

Mondays: 6-8 PM     Duration: 2 Hours Register Here!

Bouldering Technique Clinic:

Improve your technique on the wall by learning various bouldering movement skills from experienced staff.

Tuesdays: 6-8pm     Duration: 2 Hours Register Here!

Lead Belay Clinic:

Experience an introduction to Lead Climbing and Lead Belay with CWI certified staff. Attendees MUST be Top Rope Belay certified or will be turned away. Note: lead falls will not be taken in this course but practice with lead climbing and lead belay will be introduced and perfected in preparation to take a lead course at another facility such as Rocknasium in Davis. 

Wednesdays: Oct 29th and Nov 19th 8-10pm       Duration: 2 Hours Register Here!